MFD Problem

Hi folks,
Recently I used the audio PWR button to switch off the radio - something I don't normally do.
Anyway, ever since then the audio system doesn't power up on start up and also the MFD displays the fuel consumption page but no data.
Pressing the PWR button brings the radio back on and the MFD seems to recover.
After about a minute the audio switches off again, but the MFD is OK.
Again pressing the PWR button brings the audio back and it works OK from then on until shutdown.
The cycle is repeated at each start up.
The operations in the driving area isn't affected - all works normally.
I'll be taking the car in next week for a "recall inspection" on another matter, so the service people will be asked to check into this problem also.
I will report further when I have the results of the service visit.

kenmac

 

Hi again,
The car has been in for checking.
I couldn't get much info from the service people - they just said that they have reloaded the associated software and verything now seems to be working as it should.
I think that they really don't understand what happened, a common thing with software glitches - it's just easier/quicker to refresh the program and hope that fixes it!
Anyway, it seems to OK now, but I will be watching for any re-occurrence.

kenmac

 

Well, it didn't last long - it started re-occurring the next day.
I've been keeping an eye on it until I can let the service people have the car for enough time to solve it.
It's not affecting the normal running of the car, so it's not urgent and can be scheduled as convenient.

It seems to do exactly the same thing at each startup.
Power on - splash screen, then blank, no radio.
After a few seconds the page is displayed, without any data.
After about 2 minutes of running, the data begins to appear, not all at once.
The timing is an estimate only - I plan to record the exact timing of everything as it occurs.
The radio doesn't come on at all - requires a press of the PWR switch.
Sometimes it will go off a few minutes later and requires a re-press of PWR.
Once everything is settled, there is no further problem until the next power-up.

If it is a connection problem, I would expect it to have a more random aspect.

kenmac

 

Hi again,
The problem persists and the car is going in next week for some more investigation/fix?
Also, there were a couple of occurrences where the data has frozen for about five minutes.
I'm pretty convinced that it is a software problem due to the repeat pattern.
The worst effect personally is the inability to turn on/off the aircon for about two minutes, particularly on extreme temps.
So, I need to get it fixed before the 40 deg C. days arrive.

kenmac

 

Evan,
The car goes in next week - they have been pre-warned of the symptoms.
Service staff have indicated that they have arranged to get a replacement item - they didn't say what item tho.
If the MFD is purely a video display, without any internal data processing, I would think that the "freezing" aspect would be caused further downstream, where the video signal originates.
It could of course have a "buffer" storage which would hold whatever is displayed when the input data is lost.
It's frustrating not having relevant information available here - we are guessing most times!
Hopefully I will know a bit more detail next week.

kenmac

 

Hi again,
The problem has developed further.
Yesterday the MFD data didn't appear at all for a full 15 minute trip.
Then last night the data froze for about 10 minutes.
The car goes in tomorrow, after that I should have some service results to report.

kenmac

 

Well, the car went in yesterday but due to a stuff up nothing has been achieved.
The local Toyota service had ordered a replacement MFD and assured me that it would be here in time, but it didn't arrive!
It had to come from the other side of the country, but they still had sufficient notice to carry out this small task!
Anyway, the action has been rescheduled to next week, after which I hope to have some positive outcome to report .

kenmac

 

The saga continues....!
Contacted the service people today, enquiring if the replacement had arrived - can't believe it hasn't! (two weeks)
I expressed my dissatisfaction with the situation (also sent off an email to Customer Service).
They said that Toyota had subcontracted out the supply of the display - I couldn't believe what they were saying.
How can they "support" a car such as the Prius without holding at least one spare in the country! Unbelievable!
I pointed out that they were likely to need more, from evidence on this Forum and the fact that there is a relevant TSB.
Anyway, that is the situation - still waiting for some action.

kenmac

 

Hi again,
Well, after the first problems experienced in November, Toyota Aus. have finally fixed the problem yesterday
They replaced the MFD, after a long wait while their sub-contractor manufactured one!
I'm still muttering about their policy on not holding a replacement in stock!
How long would it take to get a replacement in USA?
Anyway, the Prius is back to normal and I can control the aircon. again.

Talk about bad timing - I just received a Toyota Customer satisfaction survey sheet!

Hopefully , this thread is now closed.

kenmac